Brazil at the World Cups: 1950, runners-up at the Maracanã

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Brazil at the World Cups: 1950, runners-up at the Maracanã

The first World Cup in Brazil, in 1950, after a 12-year interruption of the competition because of World War II, was marked by Brazil’s big wins (4-0 over Mexico, 7-1 over Sweden, and 6-1 over Spain) and by a historic final that drew more than 170,000 people to the Maracanã. The opponent in that great decider, Uruguay, at the time shared the spotlight of international football with Italy.

On that July 16, 1950, Brazil opened the scoring through Friaça but allowed the Uruguayans to come from behind, with goals by Schiaffino and Ghiggia. The sadness in the stadium, then packed with people, contrasted with the national team’s flawless campaign up to the final.

Right in the opener, Brazil cruised to a 4-0 win over Mexico at the Maracanã, with goals from Ademir (2), Jair, and Baltazar. Brazil was in Group A, which also included Yugoslavia and Switzerland, along with Mexico. In the second match, they drew 2-2 with Switzerland at Pacaembu. Alfredo and Baltazar scored for the host nation.

Then, with goals by Ademir and Zizinho, Brazil beat Yugoslavia 2-0, again at the Maracanã, advancing to the final stage as the top team in Group A.

The World Cup began with 13 teams, and Brazil, Spain, Sweden, and Uruguay advanced to the final round-robin stage, with direct matchups.

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Jair’s goal in Brazil 6-1 SpainCredits: CBF Archive

Brazil’s debut in the decisive stage, under coach Flávio Costa, came against Sweden, also at the Maracanã, in a 7-1 rout. There, Ademir Menezes, who scored four goals, had already established himself as the top scorer of that World Cup – with 9 in total. Chico (2) and Maneca scored Brazil’s other goals, leaving the Swedes helpless.

In the next match, another lopsided score: 6-1 over Spain, in front of more than 150,000 people at the Maracanã. Ademir (2), Chico (2), Jair, and Zizinho scored Brazil’s goals.

With overwhelming football, Brazil emerged as the favorite in the match against Uruguay, which closed out the final round-robin, and a draw was enough to win its first World Cup. But what unfolded in that emotion-filled match was the opponent’s comeback, which silenced the Maracanã and postponed the dream of millions of fans to see the Brazilian National Team at the top.

See Brazil’s squad for the 1950 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Barbosa (Vasco) and Castilho (Fluminense);

Defenders: Augusto (Vasco), Bigode (Flamengo), Juvenal (Flamengo), Nena (Internacional), and Nilton Santos (Botafogo);

Midfielders: Bauer (São Paulo), Danilo Alvim (Vasco), Ely (Vasco), Noronha (São Paulo), and Rui (São Paulo);

Forwards: Adãozinho (Internacional), Ademir Menezes (Vasco), Alfredo (Vasco), Baltazar (Corinthians), Chico (Vasco), Friaça (São Paulo), Jair (Palmeiras), Maneca (Vasco), Rodrigues Tatu (Fluminense), and Zizinho (Bangu).

Head coach: Flávio Costa.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.

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